Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that he is willing to make a significant investment if America's only F1 team can continue to show good progress.
Haas has made a good start to the 2024 F1 season after Komatsu's predecessor Günther Steiner left in the winter, currently sitting seventh in the constructors' standings ahead of Williams, Alpine and Sauber.
Haas F1 Team ready to invest
Haas has scored points in three of the opening five races and Nico Hulkenberg, who announced on Friday he will join Sauber next season ahead of Audi's long-awaited entry into F1 in 2026, finished in the top 10 in Saudi Arabia, Australia and China. fulfilled.
Gene Haas, his eponymous owner, has been regularly criticized for his investment in the team since it joined the grid in 2016, with Haas having won the Constructors' Championship in two of the past three years. Finished in last place.
Komatsu has revealed that Haas has already committed to funding the purchase of a new campervan for 2025 and is willing to spend big as long as the team remains in good form.
Recommended by PlanetF1.com
Follow PlanetF1.com's WhatsApp channel for all the latest F1 news!
Winners and losers of Nico Hulkenberg's move to Audi
According to Motorsport.com, he said: “He was officially appointed on January 10th.” [and] Gene's message from day one was very clear. He said he has money and is ready to invest it, but we have to show him that we can use that money responsibly and efficiently.
“He doesn't like to see waste. There's a reason he's a billionaire and he doesn't like to waste money.
“If you look into it, there are a lot of things that could be improved. That's why I wasn't too concerned about his initial message. 'Come on, you guys just tell me you're using my money responsibly. I’ll show it to you, and then once you’re in a certain position, you’ll think about investing.”
“But I know for a fact that once we get to that stage, he's going to really invest. And he's already ordered a new motorhome for next year, which is no small investment. .
“We are also currently undergoing a reasonable recruitment drive, with a significant number of new hires approved given our size.
“Gene is doing what he told me right now, so I'm not worried that he won't invest.
“He will invest. But we have to do our part to spend his money responsibly.”
Read next: 7 candidates for Haas' 2025 F1 seat after Nico Hulkenberg retires